St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-11-03
A CLOSE CALL.

| The HERMIT OF NEW YORK.
A CLOSE CALL.
MIR. Washburne's Narrow Escape i'm 1851
Washington Letter.
The death of E. B. Washburne re-
minds me of an interesting incident
related by Ward III. Lamon, who was
| United States marshal of this district
under President Lincoln. Colonel La
mon was Mr.. Lincoln's travelling COM
paniOn on his celebrated journey from
Springfield, Illinois, to Washington
when the President elect was ON his
way here to assume the Office of Presi-
dent. At that time Lamon was a great
strapping young fellow, and was ac-
cOmpanying Mr.. Lincoln not only as
his chosen travelling companion, but
as his body guard and defender, and
was armed with two Colt revOlvers
and huge bowie knife. The air was
full of rumOrs of plots for the assassi-
nation of the President elect, and in
consequence of n report that an at
tempt would be made on his life at
Baltimore, the program arranged for
the trip to Washington was suddenly
changed, and Mr.. Lincoln, who had
gone from Philadelphia to Harrisburg,
the intention being to proceed from
the latter place to Baltimore, was
brought back to Philadelphia and plac-
ed on the regular midnight train leav-
ing that city for the capital.
Two end sections of sleeping car,
directly opposite eaah other, the sleep
er being the last car of the train, were
secured, one of which was occupied by
Mr.. Lincoln and Colonel LamOn, and
the other by Allan Pinkerton and an
other detective. Lincoln and Lamon
occupied the same berth, both lying
down without removing their clothes,
LamOn with his weapons so placed
that they could be readily used,
stretched on the side next the aisle.
Previous to the departure of Mr.. Lin
coin from Harrisburg, Thomas A. Scott
sent a special messenger to Washing
ton to inform E. B. WasIiburne of the
change of program, and then, to pre-
vent any intelligence of Mr.. Lincoln's
movements being forwarded, cut all
the telegraph wires running between
Harrisburg and Baltimore. Mr.. Wash
burne was the only man in Washing
ton who knew that the Presidents elect
would arrive at the capital in the early
morning instead of in the afternoon, as
was originally proposed. The arrival
of Mr.. Lincoln at the capital is best
told in Colonel Lannon's own words:
81 never closed my eyes," said Col.
LamOn, "during the trip from Phila
delphia to Washington. The story of
the cloak and Scotch cap to disguise
Mr.. Lincoln had no foundation. There
was no attempt at disguise and no oc-
casiOn for it. We reached Baltimore
at day break, and us the cars were be-
ing examined and made ready for the
transfer through Baltimore from the
President street depot to that at Cam
den street, we could hear the remarks
made by the trainmen and those about
the station in reference to the antici-
pated arrival of Lincoln during the af-
ternOOD of that day. Mr.. Lincoln and
myself remained in the berth until the
train left Baltimore. l did not know,
nor did Mr.. Lincoln expect Mr.. Wash
burne was to meet him at the depot in
Washington. Besides, L did not know
Mr.. Washburne by sight. On reach
ing Washington we left the train and
proceeded with the other passengers
towards the large room of the Balti-
more & Ohio depot fronting on New
Jersey avenue, intending to pass
to the street and, taking a
drive to the residence of VIM.
Ii. Seward. When we reached the
room man approached Mr..
laid his hand on the shoulder
of the President-elect and called his
name. l paid no attention to what he
said, but in an instant my pistol was
at his head as was also that of Allan
Mr.. Lincoln grasped my
arm and said, Ward, this is Mr..
You must be more care
ful of our friends | replied, 'Mr.
should have more sense
than to accost you in this place in such |
1 manner
"Although l afterward became well
acquainted with Mr.. Washburne, he |
never forgave me for this demOnstra-
ion. L have often thought of this in
,ident, and could never explain to my
self how Mr.. Washburne escaped death
that morning from my pistol or that of
Allan PinkertOn. Had Mr.. Lincoln
first seen and recognized Mr.. WASH
Durne it would not have aroused our
but Mr.. Lincoln did not see
Mr.. Washburne until his hand was
aid on Lincoln's shoulder and until
Mr.. Washburne called his name. 1t
vas very close call for Mr.. Wash
,urne."